My
full first name is Atul (pronounced Uh-tool with no accent on any syllable.) It’s not a nickname. It’s not shortened. It’s Indian and I’m proud of it. It’s only 4 letters and 2 syllables yet many
people have a problem with it. They
often see it or hear, don’t recognize it and then proceed to guess at what it
should be (as if reading 4 letters is difficult.) Even worse, they figure out that it sounds
like “a tool,” and get that smirk and snicker because they think it’s
funny. They’re thinking “you’re a
tool.” Turns out I’m not. Do they think they’re going to make me like
them more by trying to make fun of my name? What people don’t realize is that even with
English-acceptable names, there are many that sound like other words. We have just learned to accept them without
thinking twice. To show the ridiculousness
of people making fun of my name and other foreign ones, I have listed some
common names that sound like other words and some equally asinine comments that
could be used in response to their names…

- Matt You must enjoy getting stepped on when people walk in the door.- John You’re named after a toilet- Sandy Were you at the beach lately?- Chuck What do you throw, rocks- Dick You are a jerk aren’t you?- Randy Don’t get fresh with me